Trees remain sufficiently hydrated during drought by closing stomata and reducing canopy conductance (G_c) in response to variations in atmospheric water demand and soil water availability. Thresholds that control the reduction of G_c are proposed to optimize hydraulic safety against carbon assimilation efficiency. However, the link between G_c and the ability of stem tissues to rehydrate at night remains unclear.
We investigated whether species-specific G_c responses aim to prevent branch embolisms, or enable night-time stem rehydration, which is critical for turgor-dependent growth. For this, we used a unique combination of concurrent dendrometer, sap flow and leaf water potential measurements and collected branch-vulnerability curves of six common European tree species.
Species-specific G_c reduction was weakly related to the water potentials at which 50% of branch xylem conductivity is lost (P₅₀). Instead, we found a stronger relationship with stem rehydration. Species with a stronger G_c control were less effective at refilling stem-water storage as the soil dries, which appeared related to their xylem architecture.
Our findings highlight the importance of stem rehydration for water-use regulation in mature trees, which likely relates to the maintenance of adequate stem turgor. We thus conclude that stem rehydration must complement the widely accepted safety–efficiency stomatal control paradigm.